PEORIA — The Peoria Housing Authority got the cold shoulder from West Lake Avenue residents Wednesday during its first public meeting since identifying a property for possible development.

The board has said from the beginning stages of its plans to redevelop Taft Homes that funding and NIMBY — not in my backyard — would be the toughest obstacles, and weren’t surprised to hear enlivened arguments against dispersing public housing units.

“We knew there’d be opposition,” PHA Board Chairman Ken Zika said. “One of our goals was to provide the most accurate information that we had and try to explain what we’re trying to do.”

About 200 people, including five Peoria City Council members, Taft residents, and neighbors from the city’s 4th District, crowded into Clary Funeral Home, just across the street from a possible housing site, 2917 W. Lake Ave.

The meeting originally was planned for SpringHill Suites, but the room filled to capacity well before the 6 p.m. start so it was moved to the funeral home, where more seating was available.

At times during the heated discussion, shouts and comments from the crowd drowned out PHA officials and others.

“Everybody wants to say the places it shouldn’t go. We need to find some places it should go,” Zika said.

The Housing Authority presented its plans for the potential property, which included 30 of the 80 units that will make up Phase 1 of redevelopment.

The plans weren’t specific, but proposals for a co-developer were due Wednesday and PHA expects to have its partner in place in early March.

Comments from neighbors focused mainly on crime and other problems they associated with poverty.

“I want to be able to walk this neighborhood with my 2-year-old and 4-year-old and not have to worry about it,” Stephanie VanOppen said. “I don’t want to have to get my concealed carry permit and carry a gun.”

For Taft Homes residents in attendance, listening to the barrage of negativity was difficult.

“I didn’t know I was going to have to be fighting wolverines to try to raise my 2-year-old,” said Jania Davis, a 27-year-old single mother who moved into Taft Homes a year ago when she left a shelter in Chicago.

PHA CEO Brenda Coates, along with safety and security administrator Jerry McKean, tried to allay fears, an effort that was not always well received by the crowd.

“People are people and should be judged on a case-by-case basis,” Coates said.

Fourth District Councilman Jim Montelongo reiterated his previous comments that the West Lake location isn’t optimal for multi-family development. In fact, about two-thirds of the property is zoned for single-family use. If the PHA was to buy the property, he would not support rezoning the land.

Page 2 of 2 - Fourth District resident Jim Runyon said his diverse neighbors were one of the area’s greatest assets. But he, too, encouraged the PHA board to consider options in other parts of the city.

“We here in the 4th District have some of the most diverse housing in the entire city, and I’m proud of that,” Runyon said, adding, “Why does the 4th District need more diversity?”

Ultimately, Runyon said if affordable housing is developed at the proposed West Lake property, he would welcome his new neighbors.

“To do otherwise is just unthinkable, that we would turn or backs on someone in this community and say you’re not welcome here.”

Laura Nightengale can be reached at 686-3181 or lnightengale@pjstar.com. Follow her on Twitter @lauranight.